October 16-22, 2003

musicpicks

Wayne Hancock

country

You don't need to tell Wayne Hancock that there are more than two kinds of country-and-western music. Two-stepping through Western swing, rockabilly stomp, throwing in a dash of soul -- and, OK, sometimes just playing straight-up country -- Hancock pays tribute to the past without sounding the slightest bit constrained by it. The new Swing Time (Bloodshot), recorded live in Hancock's hometown, Austin, Tex., shows off a flawless variety that would be frightening if it weren't so much fun. (In the liner notes, Hancock writes that the 13-song album was excerpted from a three-hour show; you can only imagine that many a barn burned in Austin that night.) Hancock's uncanny vocal similarity to Hank Williams has earned him inevitable comparisons (as well as the endorsement of Hank III), but Hancock's more of a good-time artist than a doomed soul. It's too bad the Tin Angel's narrow aisles barely permit movement, let alone dancing, but don't be surprised if a few Serrano patrons jump up on their reserved tables and line dance the night away.

Wed., Oct. 22, 8:30 p.m., $12, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770.

—Sam Adams